Every year smartphones get bigger and bigger, and this year it seems anything above 5.0-inches is the norm when it comes to smartphone displays. Obviously, these larger displays give device manufacturers more room to pack in higher-end components and faster processors. Having said that, not everyone wants a massive smartphone, and while there are many compact and mini smartphones out there, very few of them are any good. For the Best Mini Android Smartphone of the year, the choice was slim, but a clear winner emerged far ahead of the pack.
Winner – Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
What happens when you take the same innards of an already fantastic smartphone and just make them a little smaller? You get the Xperia Z3 Compact, which means you get the same Snapdragon 801 CPU and 2GB of RAM, the same 20.7-megapixel camera in all its pin-sharp glory and the same overall build and design as well as software features. This is how people should be making smaller smartphones. Those that prefer something smaller, something that can easily be used in one hand shouldn’t have to skimp on features, and Sony is the only manufacturer that gets that.
Runner Up – HTC One Mini 2 (AKA the HTC One Remix)
The HTC One Mini 2 is basically a smaller version of the HTC One (M8), and while it does take a big hit on the inside, it still retains many of the same redeeming qualities. Including the excellent aluminium build and brilliant display. Sure, this guy loses a camera from its bigger brother, but it still has the overall experience and without the doubt the best sound you’ll get on a device at this sort of size. The BoomSound speakers are still quite punchy and this is definitely a device for those that want to do it all with a smaller device.
Honarable Mention – Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Mini is another pretty decent attempt at squeezing everything into a smaller device, and while premium features like the fingerprint sensor and such make their way across here, the overall experience does feel hampered. It’s a decent device, but one that most likely leaves users feeling cheated for the amount of money they parted with. Not only that, but you can’t simply create a smaller device for less money and still sell the same experience.